Greenways (Ireland)

Greenways (Ireland)

Greenways is a set of three short atmospheric piano works composed by John Ireland in 1937; entitled The Cherry Tree, Cypress and The Palm and May. They were written when the composer was 57 and are amongst the last sets of piano works he wrote.

Greenways sets out to depict in music quotations from A.E. Housman (with whom he had a close affinity), William Shakespeare and Thomas Nashe, and are full of typical Ireland lyricism and flowing harmonies.

The Copyright for the music was held by Hawkes & Son (London) Ltd. from 1938 to 1959, whereupon it was assigned to H. Freeman & Co. and where it continues to be held in the present day.